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Drug-resistant hospital bacteria persist even after deep cleaning, genomic study reveals

Scientists have used genome sequencing to reveal the extent to which a drug-resistant gastrointestinal bacterium can spread within a hospital, highlighting the

Cambridge University News • cambridge
Oct. 26, 2020 • ~7 min

Tags: infectious-diseases hospital drug-resistance genomics

In rural America, resentment over COVID-19 shutdowns is colliding with rising case numbers

Coronavirus cases have risen sharply across the Mountain West, Midwest and plains. Over 70% of nonmetropolitan counties are now "red zones," suggesting viral spread is out of control.

Roberto Silva, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado Denver • conversation
Oct. 26, 2020 • ~9 min

Tags: health public-health covid-19 coronavirus economics pandemic remote-work social-distancing hospitals face-masks rural great-plains mask-wearing rural-health small-towns

Anti-inflammatory drug improves survival in COVID-19 patients

Researchers have found that a targeted therapy with tocilizumab reduced mortality by 30 percent for critically ill COVID-19 patients when administered within the first two days of ICU admission.

Haley Bridger • harvard
Oct. 20, 2020 • ~8 min

Tags: covid-19 inflammation health-medicine brigham-and-womens-hospital miguel-hernan pro-inflammatory-cytokine tocilizumab

New drug prolongs ALS patient survival in trial

An experimental medication that was recently shown to slow the progression of ALS has now demonstrated the potential to also prolong patient survival.

Harvard Gazette • harvard
Oct. 16, 2020 • ~4 min

Tags: harvard-medical-school health-medicine als massachusetts-general-hospital mgh lou-gehrigs-disease sean-m-healey-amg-center-for-als

COVID survivors may have four months of protection

A new study shows that people who survive serious COVID-19 infections have long-lasting immune responses against the virus.

Harvard Gazette • harvard
Oct. 8, 2020 • ~4 min

Tags: covid-19 health-medicine massachusetts-general-hospital antibodies long-lasting-immune-responses

At-home COVID-19 test study launches in Boston

The TestBoston study will facilitate at-home testing on 10,000 people for both the SARS-CoV-2 virus and antibodies against it to increase access to testing and surveillance.

Haley Bridger • harvard
Oct. 6, 2020 • ~5 min

Tags: covid-19 health-medicine brigham-and-womens-hospital broad-institute sars-cov-2 covid-tests testboston

Surprise medical bills increase costs for everyone, not just for the people who get them

Surprise medical bills have led to financial pain and suffering on top of whatever ailed a patient in the first place. A recent study shows that the practice drives up costs for everyone.

Loren Adler, Associate Director, USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy, University of Southern California • conversation
Oct. 1, 2020 • ~10 min

Tags: medicare hospital-bills surprise-medical-bills